Thread: Significant disadvantage of X-pattern or i do it incorrectly ?

Try other honing patterns such as the 20 deg. side honing technique demonstrated in my DVD, "Honing the Perfect Edge". This technique is fine for narrow stones and it also reduces any chipping tendency.

I've just found and ordered 8k hone. I had been searching for it for 2 weeks. It's not cheap but i accept the price. When i receive it and flatten i will try to hone on it and say how it goes.

Originally Posted by Howard

Try other honing patterns such as the 20 deg. side honing technique demonstrated in my DVD, "Honing the Perfect Edge". This technique is fine for narrow stones and it also reduces any chipping tendency.

When might this long awaited DVD be coming up for sale Howard ? Inquiring minds want to know.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When might this long awaited DVD be coming up for sale Howard ? Inquiring minds want to know.

I just looked at his website and i think it is available now!

two suggestions try a 3 inch wide hone and make your your stroke stays flat.. i have to be careful with my narrow hones because it is so easy to not have a flat stroke.

I can't get any wider hone now. My hones are 2 inch wide. Maybe 8k hone will help because i have only 4k now. (i will get 8k next week)
That's why i use second hand and put a finger on the spine to prevent lifting up the blade to keep it flat on the hone. I don't use any pressure, just a very light touch with the finger.

Two inch wide hone is fine for straight razors. Narrow hones are preferred by many and most of the old barber hones were 2 1/2. If you can't keep it flat on a 2 you won't keep it flat on a wider hone. Take your time and practice your stroke. Personally I prefer a one handed stroke. Like you I began having difficulty keeping the blade flat throughout the stroke and used two hands. I read on the forum that it is better to use one and began really concentrating on my stroke using one hand. Keep at it and it will come to you.

Originally Posted by syslight

I just looked at his website and i think it is available now!

Got one on the way.

When i bought my first razor (DOVO 5/8, not used before) it had uneven bevel and the spine worn out in the middle but looked normal at other spots. I was astonished. Is it possible that it was sold as defective product from the DOVO factory (cheaper) ?
I also have other razor but it has much better bevel. However both razors achieve the same level sharpness when honed on 4k (i'm still waiting for my ordered 8k). I shaved with them but there is some uncomfortable pulling at ATG (i realize they are not sharp enough)

If the Dovo was supposed to be new and unused I would have contacted the vendor and asked for a replacement of a refund. If it is defective in workmanship Dovo/Merkur might replace it for you. Anne Rothstein was the customer rep I dealt with a time or two and she was very nice and very helpful. OTOH, if you've got honing it figured out in spite of the spine it might be alright as is.

Your complicating the issue of different strokes... The only thing that has to happen to attain a sharp edge is that the entire edge has to contact the stone evenly down the hone.... Period end of story!!! How you have to manipulate that stroke to accomplish this, is where you get Rolling X stroke, X strokes, Heel forward stokes,, etc; etc:
If you go back one step and set the bevel you might add a few more fancy strokes in there too... But the bottom line, so to speak, is that the edge has to slide across the stone equally to attain an edge, it really doesn't matter what the stone is, or the razor geometry, if you cannot slide that edge across the stone evenly, you will not get a good edge or bevel....

Pressure is another thing that gets confusing when we talk about it on here. The term Zero pressure is tossed about a little to "lightly"... You need to use exactly enough pressure/control to keep the edge on the hone evenly, no more, no less....